Corsica Technics Signs for ATR72 Firefighting Kits

Corsica Technics has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire 10 fire-fighting conversion kits for ATR72 airliners from Kepplair Evolution. Based at Bastia-Poretta in the north of Corsica, maintenance company Corsica Technics plans to convert ATR72s in answer to the island’s growing firefighting requirements, and those further afield. The plan is an element of a strategy to position the Bastia facility as a major maintenance hub in the Mediterranean.

Known as KEDS (Kepplair Evolution Delivery System), the “Forest Keeper” kit was developed by the Toulouse Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Trotter Controls, both leaders in the field of water-dropping systems. Kepplair has extensive experience in analyzing water-drop performance, allowing it to design highly efficient and precise systems. The system can hold 7,500 liters and has two delivery profiles: “blast” for a direct attack with water, and a constant peak flow release for delivering retardants.

The selection of the ATR72 as a platform brings with it a proven, reliable performer and access to an extensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul network. The conversion is based on the structural reinforcements of the ATR72-600F freighter and the corresponding P2F conversion supplemental type certificate. With the kit, the aircraft can operate a range of other missions, such as cargo transport or medical evacuation, outside of the fire season. It has a large loading door and offers 75 cubic meters of internal volume, and it is compatible with LD3 pallets, offering an 8,500-kg payload.

Kepplair has received LOIs covering 18 ATR72 kits. The prototype is due to arrive soon, with first flight and drop tests to be conducted before the end of this year.